Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1545: Chapter 1488: You Have the Potential

”It seems you already understand the gravity of the situation.” The corners of Li Youu’s mouth couldn’t help but lift.

”I humbly ask the advisor for guidance.” Hua Xiong vaguely grasped something, but didn’t fully comprehend, so he immediately asked. The bluntness of the Guanzi people was just like that.

”You have the potential to forge a Military Spirit Legion.” Li Youu said while stroking his chin, ”Zijian, you have the potential to forge a Military Spirit.”

Hua Xiong was completely taken aback, not knowing where to place his hands, having no idea he possessed such a terrifying potential.

Duan Wei, Li Meng, Hu Zhen, Hu Feng and others were equally flabbergasted. Although Hua Xiong always boasted about being the number one general of Xiliang, everyone knew that when it came to fighting, he couldn’t beat the Ma Clan from Xiliang.

In terms of commanding troops, Hua Xiong might be a renowned cavalry chief commander in the Central Plains right now, leading the Xiliang Iron Cavalry to virtually unrivaled victories, but as Fan Chou pointed out, even when Lü Bu commanded his troops, he didn’t manage to defeat Fan Chou in the Battle of Chang’an.

Yet someone like Fan Chou, with such high cavalry standards, inevitably got the short end of the stick when encountering Li Jue, whereas for Hua Xiong to gain recognition as the foremost Xiliang general, he’d at least need to defeat Li Jue.

And now Li Youu is telling Hua Xiong that he has the potential to forge a Military Spirit. If someone else had said that, Hua Xiong would have thought it was flattery and laughed it off. But since it was Li Youu who said it, it couldn’t possibly be a joke.

”Advi...advisor, please... say that again.” Hua Xiong stammered a bit.

”Zijian, you have the potential to forge a Military Spirit.” Li Youu placed his hand on Hua Xiong’s shoulder. This time, all the military officers from Xiliang heard clearly, looking at Hua Xiong with eyes burning bright, for a Military Spirit Legion; nothing could be more thrilling in this world.

”Please, advisor, teach me!” Hua Xiong, his face flushed, said, ”Back before I entered Chang’an, I discovered that my legion, aside from military formation effects and my legion talent effects, seemed to possess an additional effect that gradually faded away. Back then, Ziyang also told me it might be a Military Spirit—I didn’t believe it. But now that you say it, I believe it!”

”I can’t teach you this; you must lead these men north and engage the Northern Hun Guards head-on. You’ll surely gain insight. Fight the Northern Hun Guards ten times, and you will naturally understand what a Military Spirit is.” Li Youu calmly looked at Hua Xiong.

”All right, I won’t let down the advisor’s great expectations!” Hua Xiong solemnly clasped his fists and saluted.

Perhaps what once faintly appeared within the legion indeed was the power of the Military Spirit—a strong army defeated by the Vanguard yet unshaken. Back then, what they had was indeed a highly integrated belief.

Unfortunately, Hua Xiong did not understand, and since back then the belief was mixed with sentiments of reverence and fear from the soldiers who had switched from being Bandits of Mount Tai to serving Hua Xiong, it ultimately led to the highly integrated belief not fusing into one.

Maybe soldiers cultivated through Stockholm syndrome indeed possess the strength and quality to rival veteran soldiers, but their twisted and ravaged will already doomed their impossibility of growing into a strong army, instead hindering the strong army from taking the final step towards a Military Spirit.

Military Spirit is the manifestation of will. If one’s will is already twisted and ravaged, how could it be fulfilled further? Some things are determined the moment they are done; what’s gained through opportunism will eventually have to be repaid.

”Remember, Zijian, while I said ten times, I suspect you’ll feel something special after the first battle, and during the fourth or fifth time, you’ll enter a critical state. At that moment, seize the opportunity; whether it’s military formation or legion talent, pushing them to the utmost will help you in forging a Military Spirit.” At this moment, Li Youu was extraordinarily solemn.

Hua Xiong nodded, speaking little more, but he had remembered Li Youu’s words wholly in his heart.

”Take care of yourself, even though you have this potential, it’s extremely dangerous. Do not lose your life.” Li Youu glanced at the officers in front of him, essentially selected by him, ”None of you be dead; there are many days yet to come.”

”Advisor commands that none should die.” Li Meng relayed to his men, smiling, and all burst into laughter.

Li Youu didn’t mind their jesting, turned around, waved his hand, and left.

[Zijian, whether or not you have the potential to forge a Military Spirit I do not know, but I know you absolutely trust me. The cavalry you currently lead originally were backup soldiers of the Flying Bear. What they lack is a belief, and Military Spirit is that belief carried through. I cannot bestow this upon them, but you can.] Li Youu thought silently.

After Li Youu departed, Hua Xiong remained overly excited, much like he said himself; Liu Ye’s words he didn’t believe, but Li Youu’s words he did, for no other reason than it being Li Youu who said them.

”Boss, who would’ve thought you’d have the potential to forge a Military Spirit. In future, we’ll count on you for good times.” Hu Zhen exclaimed.

”Hahaha, no problem!” Hua Xiong laughed heartily, ”Let’s go, first take the brothers to the tavern for a good feast, then we’ll head north to fight the Huns, let’s take down the Northern Hun Guards!”

”Oh!” A collective shout arose as they turned towards the military camp outside the city. After settling the horses and armor, under Hua Xiong’s lead, they booked the Zhen family’s restaurant from officers to soldiers for a great meal before returning to the camp all satisfied.

Having treated nearly four thousand people to a feast complete with wine and meat, Hua Xiong suddenly realized he had no money to pay the bill.

Hua Xiong, known for generously rewarding his soldiers, found himself with scant cash on hand, despite ample stipends and Chen Xi’s effective management.

As they finished the meal, Hua Xiong realized his finances fell short. Fortunately, the Zhen family recognized who they were dealing with and didn’t press them for immediate payment.

”General Hua is about to set out, and the soldiers are heading north to fight for the country. It’s just a meal; no need to be so precise.” Zhen Yan, seeing Hua Xiong about to write an IOU, said helplessly. Would the Zhen family miss this little bit of money?

Hua Xiong scratched his head, ”Well then, how about this—I’ll bring you some northern specialties once I return from the Northern Frontier; it’s not right to take advantage of you.”

To Zhen Yan, building a good rapport with Hua Xiong was far more valuable than earning some money. ”Then I wish General Hua victory at the outset. If you manage to secure any Northern Hun sacrificial items, do let me know. I’ll take as much as you’ve got.”

Hua Xiong nodded, indicating he would keep an eye out, while Zhen Yan merely smiled. Northern Hun sacrificial items were as much a part of their legacy as the Jade Seal was to the Han Dynasty.

After Hua Xiong left, Zhen Yan looked to the sky, musing. The Zhen family didn’t really need the money anyway.